Wednesday, February 21, 2018

Slovenia-based online casino software company, ORYX Gaming, recently launched Arenacasino.hr, one of the first Croatian iGaming websites featuring casino and slots, according to to the news release.
Via the deal, Arena Casino will be provided with ORYX’s complete technology stack, compliance services, gaming content, operational and marketing services.
ORYX’s iGaming Platform boasts a wide selection of content from distinguished game providers such as NextGen, EGT, ORYX and Gamomat and has been certified in accordance with Croatia’s legal requirements.
Arena Casino games are available to players via mobile and desktop, with a focus on mobile in keeping with the vision of being the lead mobile choice for players in Croatia.
More than 100 mobile slot games can be enjoyed by players, along with unique bonuses, multiple payment methods and extra spins promotions with full support.
CEO for ORYX Gaming, Matevz Mazij, said: “Croatia is an exciting iGaming market and we’re pleased to be able to use our expertise to help launch the inaugural online operation for Arena Casino. Our ability to comply with local regulatory requirements and deliver a strong game portfolio makes us the perfect partner to ensure success. I’m happy to say we had a great team of people involved.”
The online gaming turnkey solutions provider also recently agreed a deal that will see it supply content from a selection of developers to two iGaming domains operated by Malta-based Quasar Gaming.

After a robust start in planning the Sports Betting & Gaming India 2018 Summit, Eventus International is only a week shy from the event dates. The Sports Betting & Gaming India 2018scheduled for the 27th& 28th of February 2018 at the Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa is at its last week of preparing for the summit and everyone is ...

The EU Court of Justice (CJEU) rejected earlier this week a petition filed by the Belgian Government against a set of recommendations for the protection of consumers of online gambling services and the prevention of minors from gambling online.

The recommendations were introduced by th European Commission in 2014 but the government of Belgium contested them in court, arguing that these were breaching each individual Member State’s right to regulate their online gambling market in a manner they found fit and to adopt player protection measures of their own choice. Belgian lawmakers further claimed that the European Commission had overstepped its authority by issuing the guidelines.

Earlier this week, the EU Court of Justice rejected the above claims and found that the European Commission had not exceeded its competence and that the set of recommendations had not interfered with Member States’ right to implement their own online gambling regulations.

The CJEU ruling affirmed a previously issued court decision by the General Court. The latter court dismissed Belgium’s case in the fall of 2015. The Belgian government will not be able to appeal the latest ruling further.

Why Has Belgium Contested the Guidelines?

The European Commission introduced the Commission Recommendation on principles for the protection of consumers and players of online gambling services and for the prevention of minors from gambling online in the summer of 2014. It was not legally binding and only aimed to present Member States with a set of guidelines for the effective protection of online gambling customers and the prevention of minors from being targeted and allowed to gamble online.

In October 2014, the Belgian Government filed against the recommendation, seeking its annulment by the EU’s highest court. As mentioned above, Belgian lawmakers claimed that the Commission had gone beyond its authority by introducing the guidelines and encouraging Member States to adopt them.

The Belgian government further pointed out that under EU treaties, the Commission did not have the authority to introduce “an instrument with harmonizing effect” in the online gambling sector.

It also emerged back then that concerns that the recommendation would lower the standards previously set by the Belgian Gaming Act stood at the heart of the country’s discontent.

The European Gaming & Betting Association, EGBA, welcomed CJEU’s ruling in a Tuesday statement. The Association also called upon the European Commission to encourage Member States to adopt its guidelines, to review for any gaps in their implementation, and to take corrective action if needed so that high level of consumer protection across the European Union is achieved.

Based in Brussels, EGBA is the industry body representing online gambling operators based and licensed within the European Union. Its member list includes bet365, Betsson, Kindred Group, and GVC Holdings, among others.

Tuesday, February 20, 2018

The Sports Betting & Gaming India Summit 2018 (SGBI), will be held on 27 & 28 February 2018 at the beachfront luxury 5-star Park Hyatt Goa Resort & Spa, India.
We outlined and defined the potential market that is poised to offer explosive opportunities in a June 2017 special report, Emerging Markets: Sports Betting & Gaming India. As the date is fast approaching this is a 'last call' to operators, providers, and support services companies to make plans to attend this groundbreaking event.
Event organizer Eventus-International has spent nearly a year assembling a panel of over forty industry experts and speakers. This virtual brain trust will share knowledge and lead discussions that will focus on every crucial aspect of gaming and betting in preparation for the eventual legalization and regulation of the activities in the home of the world's largest democracy.
The agenda will inform in detail on the current situation in the country where potentially hundreds of millions of people bet and gamble illegally with only lotteries and horse racing operating in the daylight. Key stakeholders will examine the case for legislation and regulation with an emphasis on consumer protection, responsible gambling, and the commercial opportunities that would result from a robust legal framework that ensure betting integrity.
The platform was designed to facilitate a candid and open debate and discussion on the future of all forms of betting and gambling in the country.
Earlier this year, the Law Commission of India produced a public report mandated by the Supreme Court to study the possibility of
legalized betting in India. They noted that leaving gambling out of their consideration might make the entire exercise futile as the two are so closely related.
The report stated in part: "The recommendation made by the Committee that betting should be legalized by law, involves the enactment of a Law which is a matter that may be examined by the Law Commission and the Government for such action as it may consider necessary in the facts and circumstances of the case." (PDF)
Among other issues that the Commission stated needed further study were whether legalized betting and gambling would lower the incidence of illegal activity in the country and if foreign betting and gambling companies should be allowed to 'have a foothold' in India.
While the summit is focused on the Indian gaming market rather than the global marketplace, participants are registered from around the globe, showing the great interest in tapping what may become one of the last greenfield opportunities left. In order to make investment decisions, business leaders need to know the current situation as well as what the future holds in India.
Eventus International Managing Director, Yudi Soetjiptadi said: "With participants from countries like Australia, Malta, United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Germany, South Africa, Taiwan, Philippines, Switzerland, Bulgaria, Latvia, United Arab Emirates, India and many more; SBGI will indeed be a global platform for the gaming market in years to come."
Eventus International is an independent professional event producing company that specializes in exhibitions and conferences across Asia and Africa.
For more information on the Sports Betting & Gaming India Summit 2018 please visit http://www.sportsbettingevents.com/sbgi-home.html